The Green Bay Packers will need all of their offensive tools if they are to continue to succeed offensively against one of the NFL’s top defenses when they meet the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon.
All week, there has been worry about the health of many key offensive players, including WR Christian Watson and TE Luke Musgrave, who have both been declared active for the must-win divisional battle.
Those declarations were crucial for the Green Bay Packers, who had found success as the NFL’s 7th offense despite missing two of its key offensive playmakers.
However, their absence allowed other players to shine, and in the last month, WR Jayden Reed has emerged as the Packers’ top offensive weapon.
While Reed’s numbers aren’t spectacular, it’s evident that Matt LaFleur and the offensive staff have gradually realized how deadly his versatility is, and as the season has progressed, he’s taken on a larger role.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) breaks away from Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) during their football game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, October 29, 2023. Green Bay was defeated by Minnesota 24-10. William Glasheen WISCONSIN TODAY NETWORK
The Michigan State rookie presently has 60 receptions for 681 yards, 8 touchdowns, and an average of 11.4 yards per catch. However, his speed and shifty style of play allow the Green Bay Packers to use him in unconventional circumstances, so he’s added 11 carries for 119 yards and two scores as a rusher.
Reed, in particular, has played some of his best football in the previous three games. Reed was the highest-rated player in last week’s crucial game against the Minnesota Vikings, recording 6 receptions on 8 targets for 89 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 14.8 yards per reception.
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Reed had six catches for 52 yards and a touchdown in the Packers’ loss to the Buccaneers the week before.
And, despite only gaining 27 yards on eight receptions against the New York Giants, he was crucial as a rusher against an active defense, finishing with four carries for 38 yards and a touchdown.
Another bright spot who has replaced the loss at WR is the Packers’ talented rookie out of Virginia, Dontayvion Wicks, who has recently been another of Jordan Love’s favorite targets. Wicks caught both of his targets for 29 yards and a score in last week’s win over Minnesota.
He had his biggest yardage game of the year the week before, completing the loss to the Bucs with 6 receptions on 7 targets for 97 yards.
The Green Bay Packers have received exciting news on Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks.
The whereabouts of Reed and Weeks had been unknown all week.
Reed was labeled as questionable all week because of a chest issue he was dealing with in Weeks 16 and 17. Reed, on the other hand, has practiced at every session this week, albeit in a restricted capacity.
His availability has been unknown, and there was a real possibility he wouldn’t be able to play in the Packers’ biggest game of the season.
The Packers have been significantly more circumspect about Jayden Reed’s injury. He’s been dealing with this injury for about a month and has mostly played through it — he didn’t play in Week 16, but it was mostly due to a toe injury.
Dontayvion Wicks missed Week 16 due to a chest injury, but he managed to log a full practice on Thursday, giving Green Bay Packers supporters hope. However, there was no formal notification like the one that came on Saturday declaring Musgrave was active vs. the Chicago Bears.
The Pack received the best news possible only hours before kickoff.
According to NFL Insider Tom Pelissero, both Reed and Wicks will play versus Chicago, while Bears star running back Khalil Herbert will also suit up for their division foe.
It will be intriguing to see how LaFleur employs all of his offensive weapons, especially with the unit entering the biggest game of the year in the best shape it has been in a long time.
